Collegiate Recovery Community

These peer-support seminars are where students meet to give and receive support. Any student is welcome to drop in, and no registration is necessary. Seminars meet in 105 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, during the fall and spring semesters.

• Monday: 11:15 a.m.–12:05 p.m.
• Tuesday:  12:20 p.m.–1:10 p.m.
• Wednesday:  11:15 a.m.–12:05 p.m.
• Thursday:  12:20 p.m.–1:10 p.m.
• Friday: 11:15 a.m.–12:05 p.m.
  • Lunch follows Friday Seminar from 12:02 p.m.–1:10 p.m.
     

This meeting is a "beginner's meeting," which means its format is more geared to those who are newer to A.A.  This meeting is open to anyone. 

• Fridays First A.A.
  Friday: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 
  105 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center

This group is for students at Penn State who are affected by another's alcohol and drug use: a parent, a sibling, a partner, or a friend. 

• Tuesday: 4:00p.m.–5:00 p.m.
  105 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center

This meeting is also open to any student, from any campus, via Zoom. If interested in joining via Zoom, please email Jason Whitney directly at jxw411@psu.edu for the access link. 

Hosted by Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services.

• Monday: 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Learn more about therapy options with CAPS

Students can schedule an appointment with the program director for the Collegiate Recovery Community.

The Evensen-Lions in Recovery Scholarship awards a total of approximately $2500 each year per student. Up to two awards may be made per year.

Qualifications

• Full-time, undergraduate student at University Park
• Collegiate Recovery Community member who demonstrates a record of service to the recovery community
• Superior academic record or the promise of outstanding academic success

Application Process

The deadline to apply is March XX, 2026. Awarded funds are available prior to the beginning of the fall semester each year and can be used only for tuition or on-campus housing expenses.

• Apply for the Evensen-Lions in Recovery Scholarship

The Lions in Recovery Merit Award is 1 award with a value between $100-$500. Funds can be used for any academic expense.

Qualifications

• Full-time, undergraduate or graduate student at University Park, including seniors and grad students who are about to graduate
• Collegiate Recovery Community member who demonstrates a record of service to the recovery community
• Superior academic record or the promise of outstanding academic success

Application Process

The deadline to apply is March XX, 2026. Awarded funds will be distributed during the Collegiate Recovery Community Spring Celebration.

• Apply for the Lions in Recovery Merit Award

The Martin Michael McNeeley Class of 2008 Scholarship awards a total of approximately $2000 and is awarded to one student each year.

Qualifications

• Full-time, undergraduate or graduate student at University Park, including seniors and grad students who are about to graduate
• Collegiate Recovery Community member who demonstrates a record of service to the recovery community
• Student needs to demonstrate financial need by being eligible for a Pell Grant or a subsidized student loan

Application Process

The deadline to apply is March XX, 2026. Awarded funds will be distributed in April.

• Apply for the Martin Michael McNeeley Class of 2008 Scholarship

We, when acting as members of the Collegiate Recovery Community and its affiliates Lions for Recovery and Lions in Recovery:

1. Assume that members wish to remain anonymous, and do not reveal the full names of other members or post recognizable photos of one another unless permission is given.
2. Avoid conflict with 12-step programs by asking our members to adhere to the public relations policies of those 12-step programs to which they belong.
3. Exercise extreme caution when dealing with press, radio, films, television, and other media. Students should refrain from issuing public statements, giving interviews, or being filmed until after they have consulted with the program coordinator.
4. Have no opinion on outside issues, including issues at Penn State that have no relation to our primary purpose of helping the Penn State community member in recovery. The Collegiate Recovery Community thus seeks to avoid being drawn into public controversy.

• This is sample for informational purposes only and is subject to modification/updating.

The Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community is a community structured around a program of Student Affairs. Membership in this program has various requirements. Students’ collective commitments to the program are what make it possible for students to find a fulfilling college experience in recovery.

The following are some benefits that accompany membership in the program of the Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community:

• Members are eligible to apply for scholarship funds
• Members have access to academic advising and advocacy
• Members have access to leadership opportunities
• Members have access to ROAR house and other housing assistance (i.e. roommate matching)
• Members are eligible to apply to serve as ROAR House Program Assistant, a position that includes specialized training and waived housing costs.

Students will remain abstinent from alcohol and other substances

The Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community is based on abstinent recovery.  A student practicing abstinent recovery is permitted to use medications prescribed by a physician, kept in original packaging, and taken as directed provided these medications are prescribed by a physician and taken as directed. 

All students must attend at least one 1-hour seminar meeting each week 

Seminar is 1-hour peer support meeting offered at the Collegiate Recovery Community’s center in which students discuss topics relating to maintaining their recoveries as a student at Penn State.  

All students must work a comprehensive recovery program outside of the Collegiate Recovery Community

Recovery requires a significant investment and a great deal more than simply “not using.” It is essential that students work a program outside of the Collegiate Recovery Community in order to fully integrate the resources available to them.  The following are considered essential: 

1. Weekly attendance at (a minimum of) one group meeting outside the CRC to support recovery 
   We are open to multiple approaches at the Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community.  Most students meet this requirement by attending a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.  Some other approaches include Celebrate Recovery (a Christian 12-step program,  SMART Recovery meetings,  or attending group therapy for substance use disorders.
2. Work weekly with an individual who is familiar with your recovery program. 
   This requirement can be met by meeting weekly with a sponsor, a pastoral counselor, a licensed addictions counselor, or some type of other mental health professional.  Establishing a close working relationship with another individual is an essential piece of a solid recovery program. 

Membership is earned and comes with the opportunity to be of service and the expectation that one will be of service 

All students with active status are invited to take on various leadership roles.